Is It Really The American Dream?
We all know living in the USA has its perks, but it’s not all picture-perfect like the Hollywood movies. From work-life balance to quality snacks, there are other citizens around the world living a better dream.
1. Germany: Tuition
While students in America graduate college with lifelong student loan debt, the Germans enter the real world without financial stress. Not only do German universities offer free education but they offer $0 tuition to foreign students as well.
2. United Kingdom: Universal Healthcare
Other countries also provide universal healthcare, but the UK is a prime example. Hospital bills in the United States can be scarier than surgery. The UK offers free public healthcare to its citizens regardless of their financial situation.
3. Sweden: Social Equality
It’s known worldwide that the United States puts the spotlight on its celebrities. Everyone longs to be famous whereas in Sweden, the Law of Jante philosophy proposes that no one is better than someone else because of their social status. In the words of Shania, “Okay, so you’re Brad Pitt. That don’t impress me much.”
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4. Asia: Convenience Stores
In America, convenience stores aren’t as convenient as they should be unless you’re okay with the only option being junk food. In many countries in Asia like Japan and Korea, you can buy complete and healthy meals for cheap. On top of that, their major chains are equipped as a one-stop shop, selling everything from printing services to gadgets.
5. Estonia: School Lunches
Schools in Estonia provide free meals for children so it's guaranteed that every child is fed no matter what their financial situation is at home. Most schools in America do not provide any free food and charge money to buy food in their cafeterias if they have one. The range of children’s nutrition is vast in public schools, leaving some poorer students hungry.
6. Europe: Time Off & Vacation
Life outside of the workforce actually exists in other parts of the world. In America, ten days of paid time off is considered generous whereas in other nations like European countries, minimum vacation days start at thirty. Work-life balance is respected, appreciated, and a better way to live–– and businesses are still running.
7. The Netherlands: Cyclists
Biking in Amsterdam is the polar opposite experience of riding your bike anywhere in the United States. The streets in Amsterdam were designed for bikes as the preferred mode of transportation and they have a very safe road system. Most cities in the USA are not very safe for cyclists and cars will always dominate over any other transit.
8. China: Credit Card Payments
China and quite frankly, most other countries in the world, are up to speed with quick tap or mobile phone payments. In many places in America, servers at restaurants still take your card to the back machine and get you to hand-sign your bill with a pen. Many businesses don’t have a phone pay option. How old-fashioned is that?
9. Singapore: Public Transportation
Many countries provide better public transportation services overall than the United States. Singapore particularly stands out with its high-speed trains and clever bus systems, encouraging less car traffic in cities. More people are able to travel freely without needing a car.
10. Australia: Gun Laws
Australia isn’t the only nation to enforce stricter gun laws than the USA. It’s no secret that America has a gun control problem and it’s no surprise that many other countries have better rules in place.
11. Costa Rica: Elder Care
If growing old isn’t stressful enough, the USA makes it even more difficult. Assisted living is expensive and not all facilities are in the best condition. In Costa Rica, retirement homes are more affordable and are known to provide good care to the elderly. The universal healthcare system also reassures you won’t go into debt if you become very ill.
12. Japan: Clean Streets
The majority of the streets in Japan are trash-free and well-manicured. Not only do they employ cleaning teams dedicated to the cause, but people respect the rules and take pride in the cleanliness. You don’t see people littering, spitting gum, or tossing their cigarette butts on the ground.
13. Luxembourg: Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in a country is supposed to reflect the cost of living and provide enough money for basic needs like food and housing. Luxembourg is a world leader, ensuring that workers are paid well enough to live comfortably and adjusting the wage with inflation.
14. France: Baked Goods
You can grab a fresh baguette on almost every city corner in France. Not only can you easily find delicious baked goods but you’ll only find bakeries that make everything from natural ingredients. Good luck finding a croissant in America that can compare to France or a donut that isn’t chock-full of artificial ingredients.
15. Denmark: Prisons
Denmark uses rehabilitation practices with their criminals without harsh punishments like solitary confinement or the death sentence. While prisons are overcrowded in the USA, the Danish have their prisons much more under control, providing alternative punishment methods that many will argue are more humane.
16. Ireland: Dairy
Many dairy farms in the United States are overcrowded with poorly treated cattle. When the majority of cows in Ireland feast on fresh grass, cows are typically fed corn and hay in America. You can taste the difference when you take a bite of Irish cheddar versus the average cheddar you’ll find in an American supermarket. Dairy products are better quality overall and you won’t find processed cheese strings as easily.
17. Iceland: Worker’s Rights
Monstrous corporations don’t run the nation in Iceland where their government strongly supports worker’s rights. Labor laws are in place, and corporations are forced to follow them. For example, public pensions, unemployment benefits, and overtime hour maximums give employees a much better work life.
18. Switzerland: Keeping The Peace
Switzerland is a neutral country and citizens have a much different mentality when it comes to war and the military. America prides itself on its aggressive military and is involved in wars all over the planet. Many will agree that the Swiss way is a much happier way to be.
19. Europe: Maternity Leave
You could say maternity leave in America doesn’t care much about new mothers. The federal government only enforces unpaid leave and in many states, employers have control over the rules. In contrast, European countries like Denmark guarantee at least a year of paid maternity leave, and fathers are also granted fully paid leave. Family truly comes first outside of the States.
20. Ecuador: Environment
The environment is in a constant struggle with America’s heavy impact on pollution. While Ecuador has the rights of nature written in its constitution, the American government usually lets big corporations step all over them without any regard to their ecological footprint.
